Graduation a bittersweet end for Prout seniors

June 7, 2013

The Prout School graduated 146 seniors Tuesday at the University of Rhode Islandâs Ryan Center. (Photo By Maria Shanahan)

SOUTH KINGSTOWN â The Prout School graduated 146 seniors Tuesday at the University of Rhode Islandâs Ryan Center.
The Class of 2013 received their diplomas at the schoolâs 45th graduation ceremony, which marked the bittersweet end of their four years at the Catholic school.

Valedictorian Becky Chinn and Salutatorian Catherine Orszulak each delivered speeches reflecting on their experiences at Prout and imparting wisdom to their fellow graduates.
Orszulak began her speech with a quote from the musical âWicked.â
ââIâve heard it said, that people come into our lives, for a reason, bringing something we must learn, and we are led to those, who help us most to grow, if we let them, and we help them in return,ââ she said. ââNow I donât know if I believe thatâs true, but Iâm who I am today because I knew you.ââ
Orszulak said she has learned from teachers and friends at Prout, completing their journey together, now ready to begin the next step in their journey as better people.
âWe began our first day of high school, at least in my case, as unsure and somewhat lost, both literally and figuratively, freshmen, but as we continued through our sophomore, junior and finally senior years, we were transformed into the brilliant young men and women before us today,âshe said.
Orszulakâs speech came full circle, and she concluded with another quote from âWicked.â
ââWho can say if Iâve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good,ââ she read.
In her speech, Chinn said that her experience at Prout could be summarized through a metaphor often used by a Prout teacher, that of the treadmill.
âThe treadmill is basically the nonstop marathon to fulfill seemingly meaningless but probably important requirements set forth by various institutions that include, but are not limited to, the IB Organization, College Board and Common App,â Chinn said.
She continued, âIt is the never ending bombardment of tests, papers and projects that prevents us from truly engaging the material or taking an interest or passion in a specific subject. The treadmill is the uninspired monotony that marks our daily lives.â

For the rest of this story, and more local news, pick up the latest copy of The Narraganett Times.